Emmanuel kehinde, Ilorin
Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, 9th Assembly, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe,has asserted that the the Japa syndrome is affecting global healthcare system.
Oloriegbe stated this in Ilorin, while delivering a paper presentations at the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference tagged: Harmony 2023, The Emirate Experience.
The theme of the conference is entitled: “Postgraduate Medical Training in Nigeria: Achievements, Limitations, Innovations and Prospects”.
Oloriegbe spoke on the topic: “Stemming the Tide of Brain Drain Through Legislation: The Intricacies”.
He submitted that all sectors in the country is being affected by migration of workforce, adding that it is not only Nigeria that is witnessing this trend.
He underscored the need for positive solutions to this critical issue of brain drain affecting Nigeria and indeed other developing nations.
According to him, virtually all fields in the healthcare system is affected by Japa syndrome including clinical services, pharmacy, nursing and lab technician.
The expert on healthcare observed that to attain the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on health 2030, which aims to achieve universal health coverage, and provide access to safe and affordable medicines and vaccines for all.
He postulated that factors that promote migration of workforce includes salaries, poor remuneration, work overload, job stress, issue of insecurity and lack of working tools and facilities.
Oloriegbe explained that for healthcare system to be ideal, it must be available, accessible, acceptable and of quality.
He lamented that the developing countries used their resources and manpower to train and the end result is enjoyed by developed nations.
“This means Nigeria is not benefiting the services of their efforts. The destination country are the ones getting all the benefits,” he lamented.
Oloriegbe therefore advocated bilateral agreement between workforce importing and exporting countries on compensation.
He added that there is need for better salary pay, incentives, loans and better allocation to equip this hospitals.
Also in his presentation, Prof Biodun Alabi, Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, emphasised on the importance of residency program designed to provide practical experience and technical skills required by trainees to become full-time doctors.
The Don spoke on the topic: “Postgraduate Medical Training in Nigeria: Achievements, Limitations, Innovations and Prospects”.
He observed that though the training is tough and expensive, there is need for good mentorship.
He enjoined the government to give more attention on improving funding of residency
Alabi also appealed to government to ensure doctors are better remunerated to avoid strike actions.
Mr Kayode Alabi, the Kwara Deputy Governor commended NARD in contributing towards the healthcare system in the country.
He however appealed to the doctors against migrating from the country, adding that Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq is demonstrating commitment in revamping the healthcare system in the state.
In his welcome address, Dr Emeka Orji, the NARD President, noted the importance of the occasion as it marks the climax of the executive year.
He stated that the AGM afford the entire membership of the association another opportunity to take stock and assess progress made in the last year.
Orji added that it is time to review the numerous welfare challenges bothering members, recount success and strategize on how to address outstanding ones.
Also speaking earlier, Dr Mubaraq Ijaiya, the President of Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH) explained that with dynamism in the evolution of medical practice, the need for re-evaluation of the medical training process towards having an proved system is overdue.
“In the light of the current state of our healthcare system, ensuring we keep our best brains within cannot be overemphasized,” he said.
